Tracing the evolution of AIT, Prof. Worsak stated that while the
Institute played the role of a teaching university from 1959-1970, it
adopted the role of a research university from 1970-2000. Today, AIT is
a research university with a strong partnership with the industry and
business, President Worsak said.
Complimenting AIT Solutions for organizing the event, Prof. Worsak
remarked that the twin aspects of innovation — innovation for economic
gain, and for betterment of humanity runs through all research at AIT.
While AIT works with the private sector and industry for ensuring
economic returns; it also works with the public sector, international
organizations and NGOs, for ensuring that the entire society benefits
from its innovations. He quoted two examples of the reinvented toilet
and low cost Habitech housing, as evidence of AIT’s innovative
products.
Highlighting that AIT serves as a neutral platform for sustainable
development of the region through global collaboration in education,
science and technology, and social entrepreneurship, Prof. Worsak said
that the Institute serves as a regional platform for borderless
Research and Development for humankind. AIT does this by focussed
research on water, infrastructure, environment, development, industry,
food, information and communication technologies, and energy. The AIT
President reminded participants that problems cut across borders and
boundaries, and that issues have no physical and disciplinary walls, as
he spoke of climate change, flood, pollution, and international
river disputes. Just as we share problems, we need to share solutions
through collaboration, Prof. Worsak added.
Chief Guest, Dr. Verapong Chaiperm , Governor, Industrial Estate
Authority of Thailand (I-EA-T) provided an overview of 55 industries
estates functioning in various parts of Thailand. Attached to
Thailand’s Ministry of Industries, the Authority is actively involved
in promoting innovation across all major sectors of industry.
Highlighting the 4G+ strategy, Dr. Chaiperm, who graduated from AIT
with a doctorate in Environmental Engineering in 1991, stated that
growth, green, great, governance and innovation are the keywords of
I-EA-T’s vision.
Chairman of Executive Board of the National Innovation Authority, and
Chairman, Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development
Agency, Dr. Somchet Thinapong stressed the need to creatively convert
knowledge and resources towards societal wealth by employing innovative
approaches. “Now is the right time to convert these ideas into
reality,” Dr. Somchet remarked. We need a multi-disciplinary and
multi-dimensional approach so that all stakeholders can become partners
through active collaboration, he added. Dr. Somchet, who is also the
President of the Mother Chapter of the AIT Alumni Association (AITAA)
asked everyone to work towards creating value from their
knowledge.
Keynote speeches were delivered by Dr. Songphon Munkongsujarit ,
Senior Consultant, Innovation and Technology Assistance Program (ITAP),
Mr. Madhu Avalur , Founder and CEO, Angaros, Dr. Paul Janecek , CEO,
Think Blue Data, and Dr. Siddarth Jabade , Dean, Vishwakarma Institute
of Technology, India.
Technical sessions were organized on Food and Agriculture,
Infrastructure and Building, Logistics and Supply Chain, Next-Gen
CSR - Sustainability through Social Business and Robotics and
Automation.
Presentation: Prof Worsak's presentation ca be viewed
at this link:
http://goo.gl/K2zbSy
Day 1: A story on Day 1 of the event can be read at
this link: http://goo.gl/GoEHVZ
